In the world of die-hard collectors and pristine plastic casings, a new realm is being carved out—or at least attempted. PSA, a stalwart in the grading industry, recently threw its hat into the ring of comic and magazine grading—a move that, on paper, sounded like an exciting new frontier for collectors. But much like a long series of sequels, the roll-out has not lived up to the hype. What should have been a whirlwind of grading excitement has mellowed into a slow waltz of waiting, thanks to an unexpected twist: a stretched-out grading timeline.
Initially touted as a swift, 20-day turnaround, PSA’s magazine grading process has hit a snag, now trundling along at a languid 75 days. For people whose adrenaline spikes at the thought of flipping rare finds faster than a superhero can change costumes, this snail’s pace is an unwelcome surprise. Eager collectors, hoping to flaunt their treasures or make a quick buck, now must rely on their reservoirs of patience—or, quite possibly, divert their attentions elsewhere.
The news isn’t entirely devoid of upside, or at least theoretically so. At the launch of this grading program, PSA dangled a promotional carrot: modern comics and magazines (those from 1975 onward valued at under $400) could be submitted for a tempting $25.99. Vintage submissions were slightly pricier at $39.99. However, like a grand meal served cold, the newfound reality of the 75-day wait has left many collectors questioning the value of this special pricing. A quick bargain it is not.
Apparently, PSA’s internal machinery ran afoul of unforeseen hurdles. The planned rollout jammed into a barricade of tariffs and production delays, leaving the company without the shiny new magazine slabs they had intended to unveil. Instead of a dynamic launch, collectors received the unadorned message: patience, please, while we assemble the necessities. The requisite slabs are penciled in for September delivery, meaning current wait times extend indefinitely, a scenario that’s causing a few raised eyebrows in the collectors’ quarters.
Further attempting to sweeten the deal, PSA has added a pressing service to their offerings. Markdown junkies will appreciate the $11.99 charge for modern items, and $29.99 for the time-honored vintage selections. Of course, there’s a tiny catch: if you opt for pressing, you commit to it for every item in your order. No picking and pressing here—a batch decision or nothing at all.
But hidden among these operational hiccups looms a larger, more garish issue—the saga of the label. In an art form where presentation can fetch premium, PSA’s labels have hit an aesthetic speed bump. Where rival CGC introduces a splash of panache with character artwork on their labels (for an additional fee), PSA’s versions exude a generic resonance that falls, well, flat. Though PSA has an illustrious history with trading cards, their slabs have become aesthetically reminiscent of a story stuck in reruns. As epic battles in the collector’s world hinge as much on garb as on the grade itself, PSA’s label designs whisper of bygone eras rather than shout modernity.
For collectors, CGC maintains a firm foothold, both in terms of flaunting eye-popping labels and offering swifter turnaround services. If PSA aspires to convert the comic and magazine congregations, they should take notes on the power of presentation. The grading service, once seen merely as a protective, preservational endeavor, has evolved—collectors want pizzazz as much as precision. Right now, PSA’s only offering sizzle-free slabs and exasperating waits, essentially crafting a suspenseful tale with no dazzling conclusion in sight.
Thus stands PSA in its latest endeavor. They have waded into the comic and magazine terrain, but their new venture is shadowed by the lingering desire for something more, something bolder. Until there’s a tried-and-true, miraculously efficient grading service from PSA harmonizing with labels that command attention, collectors may well keep their loyalties where liveliness and sparkling design have already laid claim.
Until PSA catches up with its own ambitions, hope abides among collectors for a future scene where slabs are as exciting as the treasures they encase, and delays are but a footnote in comic grading lore. But for now, CGC remains the belle of the collection ball—a position PSA will need more than just time to tackle.
